Since when does likening someone to Steve Aoki constitute fighting words? Hell, given that Aoki is a superstar DJ with a huge following in these parts -- witness his jam-packed January show at the Fillmore -- such a comparison could be considered a compliment.

But very early this morning, an aggravated assault took place in Boulder, with two suspects on the loose -- and a CU-Boulder police representative confirms that the whole thing started when the wanted pair tried to insult a student by saying he looked like Aoki.

One entrance to the pedestrian underpass near the Broadway-Euclid intersection.

At 1:19 a.m., according to CU-Boulder Police Commander Robert Axmacher, officers responded to a call about an assault on the University of Colorado campus at the Broadway-Euclid pedestrian underpass.

Witnesses told the cops that a pair of male suspects had approached a group of students gathered there and launched into what are termed "derogatory statements" about one of the latter resembling "a noted DJ and recording artist of Asian descent" -- Aoki, Axmacher confirms.

A male CU student is said to have overheard this comment and physically intervened in the conversation, by slugging one of the suspects.

This decision proved to have painful consequences. Axmacher notes that the suspects responded by punching and kicking the student brutally enough that he required immediate hospitalization. He reportedly sustained serious injuries to his face, including broken bones and fractures.

A shot from Aoki's January Fillmore show. To read the review, click here.

Photo by Nick Callaio

The suspects fled to the east, and while CU-Boulder law enforcers searched the area, they were unable to find them. Here are their descriptions:

Suspect #1

White Male

College aged

5'9 to 5'10

Skinny build

Long brown hair

Wearing a gray shirt, shorts, and black socks

Suspect #2

White Male

College aged

5'8 to 5'10

Buzzed blond hair

Wearing a black shirt and jeans

If you have information about this incident, you're encouraged to contact the CU-Boulder police at 303-492-6666 or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at either 800-222-TIPS (8477) or 800-444-3776. The latter is offering a reward of up to $1,000 in the case.